uniformitarianism

American  

[yoo-nuh-fawrm-i-tair-ee-uhn-iz-uhm] / ˌju nəˌfɔrm ɪˈtɛər i ənˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the theory that geological or biological changes on earth have been caused by gradual, ongoing processes or local events, rather than by large-scale or global catastrophicevents such as a worldwide flood. Contrasts with catastrophism.

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uniformitarianism British  

/ ˌjuːnɪˌfɔːmɪˈtɛərɪəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the concept that the earth's surface was shaped in the past by gradual processes, such as erosion, and by small sudden changes, such as earthquakes, of the type acting today rather than by the sudden divine acts, such as the flood survived by Noah (Genesis 6–8), demanded by the doctrine of catastrophism

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uniformitarianism Scientific  

/ yo̅o̅′nə-fôr′mĭ-târ′ē-ə-nĭz′əm /

1. The theory that all geologic phenomena may be explained as the result of existing forces having operated uniformly from the origin of the Earth to the present time.

2. See Note at Lyell

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Example Sentences

In the 1920s, mainstream geologists rigidly believed in uniformitarianism — the idea that geological features could only form over thousands or millions of years.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2024

It concerned the geologic principle of uniformitarianism, which states that processes we can observe can be used to interpret Earth's history.

From Scientific American • Jun. 21, 2020

Dogmatic acceptance of uniformitarianism inhibited the progress of this idea, mainly because of the permanency placed on the continents and their positions.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

The proposals also go against the grain of one of geology's founding principles: uniformitarianism, which states that planets are shaped by gradual, ongoing processes.

From Nature • Jan. 30, 2013

The context shows that "uniformitarianism" here means that doctrine, as limited in application by Hutton and Lyell, and that what I mean by "evolutionism" is consistent and thoroughgoing uniformitarianism.

From Essays Upon Some Controverted Questions by Huxley, Thomas H.